Chapter 7: ICSE Class 10 English Language/Grammar solved
Get textual answers, explanations, solutions, notes, extras, MCQs, PDF of Chapter 7: ICSE Class 10 English Language/Grammar (Total English) workbook solved, which comprises Conditional Sentences, Stories, Summary Writing, Test Paper – 7. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference, and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
Conditional Sentences
i. Put the verbs in brackets into the appropriate Type 1, 2, 3 ConditionalSentences.
1. If you come to Delhi, will you call (call) me?
Answer: will you call
Explanation: This is a Type 1 Conditional sentence. Think of it like a real plan for the future. It talks about something that is possible. The rule is: if the first part (the ‘if’ part) uses a simple present verb (like “come”), the second part (the result) uses a future verb (like “will call”). So, if the condition “you come to Delhi” happens, the likely result is “you will call me.”
2. If you __________ (read) the instructions, you would not have made that mistake.
Answer: had read
Explanation: This is a Type 3 Conditional sentence. We use this to talk about the past and imagine something different happened. You did make a mistake because you didn’t read the instructions. We are pretending you went back in time and changed it. The rule for this imaginary past is: the ‘if’ part uses “had” + the verb (like “had read”), and the result part uses “would have” + the verb (like “would not have made”).
3. The thief would have been recognised, if he __________ (not wear) a mask.
Answer: had not worn
Explanation: This is another Type 3 Conditional, talking about an imaginary past. In reality, the thief wore a mask and wasn’t recognised. We are imagining the opposite. If he had done something different in the past (not worn a mask), the result would have been different. The rule is to use “had not” + the verb (like “had not worn”) for the ‘if’ part when we imagine something didn’t happen in the past.
4. If the news had not been interesting, the newspaper __________ (not print) it.
Answer: would not have printed
Explanation: This is also a Type 3 Conditional. The ‘if’ part (“If the news had not been interesting”) is about an imaginary past. So, the result part must also talk about the imaginary past result. The rule is to use “would not have” + the verb (like “would not have printed”). The real situation was: the news was interesting, so the newspaper printed it. We are just imagining the opposite.
5. What would you say, if you __________ (be) in my place?
Answer: were
Explanation: This is a Type 2 Conditional sentence. We use it for imaginary situations in the present. You are not in my place, but I want you to pretend. When we use the verb “be” to pretend or imagine something, we use the special word “were,” even if we are talking about one person (like ‘I’ or ‘you’). It’s like a magic word for make-believe situations: “If I were a king…” or “If you were here…”
6. If you heat ice, it __________ (melt).
Answer: melts
Explanation: This is a Zero Conditional sentence. We use it for facts or things that are always true, like a rule in science. Every single time you heat ice, it melts. It’s not a plan for the future, it’s just a fact. For facts, we use simple present verbs in both parts of the sentence. So, “If you heat ice, it melts.”
7. The cat would eat that cake, if you __________ (leave) it there.
Answer: left
Explanation: This is a Type 2 Conditional. It’s about an imaginary situation right now or in the future. You haven’t left the cake there yet, but I’m imagining what would happen if you did. For this kind of “what if” situation, the ‘if’ part uses a simple past verb (like “left”). So, if the imaginary action happened (“you left it there”), the imaginary result would follow (“the cat would eat it”).
8. __________ (Provide) you complete your assignment you can go to play.
Answer: Provided
Explanation: The word “Provided” works just like the word “If.” It means “only if this one condition is met.” Think of it as a rule from your parents: “You can go play, but the rule is you have to finish your assignment first.” So, “Provided you complete your assignment, you can go to play.”
9. If I __________ (be) you, I would study hard from day one.
Answer: were
Explanation: This is a Type 2 Conditional, used for giving advice by imagining an impossible situation. I can never be you. When we pretend to be someone else to give advice, we use the special phrase “If I were you.” It’s a fixed rule in English for this kind of imaginary advice.
10. If I __________ (win) the election, I would appoint him for the post.
Answer: won
Explanation: This is a Type 2 Conditional. The person is talking about a hypothetical or imaginary situation, not a definite plan. They haven’t won the election, but they are imagining what they would do if they did. The rule for this kind of imaginary situation is to use the simple past verb (like “won”) in the ‘if’ part.
II. Join the following sentences, using if.
1. The ice-cream shop is closed. We cannot have ice cream this evening.
Answer: If the ice-cream shop were not closed, we could have ice cream this evening.
Explanation: This is a Type 2 conditional sentence. Think of it like a little daydream about right now. The ice-cream shop is closed, which is a real fact. But we are imagining, “What if it wasn’t closed?” To talk about this imaginary situation that is the opposite of reality, we use the past tense (“were not closed”) in the ‘if’ part, and ‘could have’ in the result part. So, we’re saying an imaginary condition would lead to an imaginary result.
2. I cannot drive. So we cannot take my father’s car.
Answer: If I could drive, we could take my father’s car.
Explanation: This is another Type 2 conditional, just like the first one. It’s about an unreal situation in the present. The truth is, “I cannot drive.” We are pretending and imagining a different reality where I can drive. So we say, “If I could drive…” (imaginary condition), “…we could take my father’s car” (imaginary result).
3. My uncle does not work much. So he has not got a lot of money.
Answer: If my uncle worked much, he would have a lot of money.
Explanation: This is a Type 2 conditional sentence. We are talking about something that is not true about your uncle right now. He doesn’t work much. We are imagining the opposite: “If he worked much…” (using the past tense for the imaginary part). The imaginary result of this would be, “…he would have a lot of money.”
4. We do not have any flour. We cannot bake a cake.
Answer: If we had some flour, we could bake a cake.
Explanation: This is a Type 2 conditional. It’s for imagining something different from the present reality. Right now, you have no flour. But if you pretend you do have flour, you would say, “If we had some flour…” (using the past tense ‘had’ for the pretend part). The result of this pretend situation would be, “…we could bake a cake.”
5. My landlord does not pay taxes. That is why he is so rich.
Answer: If my landlord paid taxes, he would not be so rich.
Explanation: This is a Type 2 conditional sentence. It describes an imaginary situation that is the opposite of what is true now. The landlord doesn’t pay taxes. We are imagining what would happen if he did. So we say, “If my landlord paid taxes…” (the imaginary part), “…he would not be so rich” (the imaginary result).
6. I had not worked hard. I did not clear the exam.
Answer: If I had worked hard, I would have cleared the exam.
Explanation: This is a Type 3 conditional. We use this to talk about the past and imagine a different result, often with a feeling of regret. You can’t change the past. You didn’t work hard, and you didn’t clear the exam. You are looking back and imagining a different past: “If I had worked hard…” (imaginary past condition), “…I would have cleared the exam” (imaginary past result).
7. It was raining. We reached the venue late.
Answer: If it had not been raining, we would not have reached the venue late.
Explanation: This is another Type 3 conditional, used for imagining a different past. The real past is: it rained, and you were late. Now, you are imagining a past that didn’t happen: “If it had not been raining…” (the imaginary past condition). The different result in that imaginary past would be, “…we would not have reached the venue late.”
III. Fill in the blanks with the correct tenses of the verbs given in brackets.
1. If she ………. (finish) work early, she ………. (go) home.
Answer: If she finishes work early, she will go home.
Explanation: This is a Type 1 Conditional sentence. Think of it like a plan for the future. If one thing happens (she finishes work), another thing will happen (she will go home). It’s a real possibility. For the “if” part, we use the simple present tense (finishes), and for the result part, we use the future tense (will go).
2. Water ………. (turn) to vapour if you heat it.
Answer: Water turns to vapour if you heat it.
Explanation: This is a Zero Conditional sentence. It talks about a rule or a fact that is always true, like in science. Every time you heat water, it turns into steam. When something is always true, we use the simple present tense for both parts of the sentence. So, “Water turns…” and “…if you heat it.”
3. If we succeeded we ………. (get) a reward.
Answer: If we succeeded we would get a reward.
Explanation: This is a Type 2 Conditional sentence. It’s like a daydream or talking about something imaginary that is not true right now. We are imagining, “If we succeeded (but we haven’t), then we would get a reward.” For this kind of make-believe situation, we use the simple past tense in the “if” part (succeeded) and “would” + the verb in the main part (would get).
4. If you ………. (not like) this one, I will bring you another.
Answer: If you do not like this one, I will bring you another.
Explanation: This is a Type 1 Conditional sentence, like a promise for the future. “If it’s true that you don’t like this, then I will do something about it.” For the “if” part, we use the simple present tense. To make it negative (to say “no”), we use “do not like”. The other part shows the future promise: “I will bring”.
5. I could tell you the meaning if I ………. (know) Latin.
Answer: I could tell you the meaning if I knew Latin.
Explanation: This is a Type 2 Conditional sentence. The person is talking about an imaginary situation because, in reality, they don’t know Latin. They are saying, “I can’t tell you the meaning because I don’t know Latin, but if I did know it, I could tell you.” We use the past tense “knew” to show that it’s just an idea, not a real fact right now.
6. If Manas had tried harder, he ………. (succeed).
Answer: If Manas had tried harder, he would have succeeded.
Explanation: This is a Type 3 Conditional sentence. We are talking about the past, and we can’t change it. The truth is, Manas did not try harder, so he did not succeed. We are imagining a different past. “If this thing had happened differently, then that thing would have happened.” For this kind of looking back and imagining, we use “had tried” in the “if” part and “would have succeeded” in the main part.
7. I ………. (not eat) it if I were you.
Answer: I would not eat it if I were you.
Explanation: This is a Type 2 Conditional sentence, and it’s a special way to give advice. You are pretending to be the other person to tell them what you think is a good idea. Since you can’t really be them, it’s an imaginary situation. The advice part uses “would not eat.” It means, “If I was in your shoes, this is what I would not do.”
8. If I had any sense, I ………. (not buy) a second-hand car.
Answer: If I had any sense, I would not buy a second-hand car.
Explanation: This is a Type 2 Conditional sentence. The person is imagining being more sensible. They are saying, “If I were a sensible person right now (which maybe I’m not), then I would not do this.” It’s an imaginary idea about the present. So, we use the simple past tense “had” in the “if” part and “would not buy” in the main part.
9. Tell him to speak to me if you ………. (see) him.
Answer: Tell him to speak to me if you see him.
Explanation: This is a Type 1 Conditional sentence, but instead of a “will” part, it has a command (“Tell him…”). It’s an instruction for a possible future event. “If this happens in the future (you see him), then you must do this (tell him).” For the “if” part of the instruction, we use the simple present tense “see”.
10. If I ………. (know) that you were coming, I would have baked a cake.
Answer: If I had known that you were coming, I would have baked a cake.
Explanation: This is a Type 3 Conditional sentence. It’s about regretting something in the past. The reality is: I didn’t know you were coming, so I didn’t bake a cake. The person is imagining a different past. “If I had known… then I would have baked a cake.” We use “had known” to talk about this imaginary past condition that didn’t happen.
11. Unless you ………. (pay) him a good salary, he ………. (not work) for you.
Answer: Unless you pay him a good salary, he will not work for you.
Explanation: This is a Type 1 Conditional sentence. The word “Unless” is a special word that means “if you do not”. So the sentence means, “If you do not pay him a good salary, then this will happen in the future: he will not work for you.” The part after “Unless” uses the simple present tense (“pay”), and the result part uses the future tense (“will not work”).
12. I ………. (buy) that house if I could afford it.
Answer: I would buy that house if I could afford it.
Explanation: This is a Type 2 Conditional sentence. It’s a daydream. The person can’t afford the house, so they can’t buy it. They are imagining a different reality where they have enough money. “If I was able to afford it, then this is what I would do: I would buy it.” We use “would buy” to talk about the imaginary result.
13. If I had asked you, you ………. (come).
Answer: If I had asked you, you would have come.
Explanation: This is a Type 3 Conditional sentence. It’s about looking back at a past that didn’t happen. The reality is: I did not ask you, and so you did not come. I am imagining what would have happened if I had asked. “If this had happened (I had asked), then that would have happened (you would have come).” We use “would have come” for the imaginary past result.
14. If he worked hard, he ………. (be) rich.
Answer: If he worked hard, he would be rich.
Explanation: This is a Type 2 Conditional sentence. It’s about an imaginary situation. Maybe the person doesn’t work hard, so he isn’t rich. We are imagining a different scenario: “If he did this thing (worked hard), then this would be the result (he would be rich).” We use “would be” to describe the imaginary outcome.
15. If I had repaired my car earlier, I ………. (drive) you to Ambala.
Answer: If I had repaired my car earlier, I would have driven you to Ambala.
Explanation: This is a Type 3 Conditional sentence. It’s about a missed chance in the past. The reality is: I did not repair my car, so I did not drive you. We are imagining a different past. “If this had happened (I had repaired my car), then I would have done this (I would have driven you).” We use “would have driven” for the imaginary past action.
Stories
Assignment
1. Write a story based on the following:
Legend has it that a horrible monster stalks the swamps of a certain area in Odisha. One stormy night, two girls in that vicinity find shelter in an upstairs room of an old vacant mansion. Soon they hear a series of strange noises downstairs. Suddenly, a flash of lightning reveals a hairy, three-fingered hand on the door.
Answer: The Mansion in the Storm
The wind howled like a wounded animal, rattling the loose window frames of the derelict mansion. Rain hammered against the roof, each drop a tiny fist against the decaying shingles. Inside, huddled in the corner of a dusty upstairs room, Meera and Sita tried to control their shivering, a cold that had little to do with their drenched clothes. They had been foolish to take a shortcut through the swamps, especially with a storm brewing and the local tales of a monster echoing in their minds.
A floorboard creaked downstairs. Sita’s eyes widened in the gloom. “What was that?” she whispered, her voice trembling. Meera put a finger to her lips, straining to listen over the storm’s fury. A slow, heavy scraping sound followed, as if something was being dragged across the wooden floor below. The sound grew closer, ascending the main staircase one laborious step at a time.
Fear, cold and sharp, pierced through Meera. The stories couldn’t be real, could they? The scraping stopped right outside their door. The girls held their breath, their hearts pounding in a deafening rhythm.
Suddenly, a brilliant fork of lightning split the sky, illuminating the room in a stark, momentary glare. In that split second, frozen in time, they saw it. A coarse, hairy hand with three thick, claw-tipped fingers was wrapped around the edge of their door. It was not the hand of a man.
A choked scream escaped Sita’s throat as the door began to creak open. The hand was followed by a hulking silhouette that blocked the dim light from the hallway. A low, guttural growl rumbled from its chest. Meera, jolted into action by pure terror, grabbed Sita’s arm and pulled her towards the large, grimy window. “The tree!” she hissed.
Without a second thought, they scrambled onto the wide windowsill. A thick, gnarled branch from an ancient banyan tree was just within reach. As the creature took a heavy step into the room, Meera leaped, her fingers closing around the wet, slippery bark. She swung precariously before finding her footing, then reached back for Sita, who jumped without hesitation. They scrambled along the branch as the monster lunged, its three-fingered hand swiping at the empty space where they had just been. They didn’t stop until they were safely on the ground, running blindly through the rain and mud, leaving the mansion and its horrifying occupant behind in the stormy darkness.
2. Write a story including all of the following in any order: A journey by scooter – police arrest – inheriting a fortune – arrival of an uncle.
Answer: A Fortune on the Highway
The old scooter sputtered and coughed, a cloud of black smoke marking its reluctant progress along the sun-baked highway. Rohan kicked the starter again, his leg aching from the effort. This journey by scooter was his last gamble. With only a few hundred rupees in his pocket and the promise of a menial job in a city three hundred kilometres away, failure was not an option. The heat shimmered off the asphalt, and the drone of the engine was a monotonous soundtrack to his despair.
Suddenly, a police siren wailed behind him. Rohan’s heart leaped into his throat. He pulled over, his hands trembling slightly as two stern-faced constables approached.
“Your taillight is broken,” the senior officer said, his voice flat. “And you were swerving. Licence and registration.”
Rohan fumbled for his worn wallet. Everything was in order, but he knew where this was heading. A fine. A fine he could not afford to pay. When the officer demanded five hundred rupees, Rohan’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t have it,” he mumbled, explaining his situation. His plea for leniency was met with cold indifference. His frustration boiled over, and a heated argument followed. Before he knew it, he was being bundled into a police jeep, his scooter left abandoned on the roadside. The small, grim police station felt like the end of the world. The police arrest was the final, crushing blow to his hopes.
As he sat on a hard wooden bench, contemplating a night in a dusty cell, a car pulled up outside. A portly, well-dressed man stepped out and walked into the station with an air of authority. He looked around, and his eyes settled on Rohan.
“Rohan? Is that you?” the man asked, a flicker of recognition in his eyes.
Rohan looked up, confused. The man looked vaguely familiar, like a face from a forgotten photograph. “I… I think so. Who are you?”
“I am Suresh. Your Uncle Suresh. Your mother’s brother. I have been looking for you for weeks.”
The arrival of an uncle he hadn’t seen since he was a small child was bewildering enough, but what followed was beyond comprehension. After quickly settling the matter of the fine with the now-deferential officers, Uncle Suresh sat beside Rohan.
“I bring strange news, my boy,” he said, his voice gentle. “Your great-aunt passed away last month. She had no other living relatives she cared for. She has left you everything. Her house, her savings… her entire fortune.”
Rohan stared, speechless. Inheriting a fortune? It sounded like a line from a movie. Just an hour ago, he was a destitute man on his way to a dead-end job, and now he was… wealthy? The words didn’t seem real.
The ride away from the police station was in his uncle’s air-conditioned car, a world away from his sputtering scooter. The journey that had started in desperation had ended in the most unbelievable way imaginable. As the city lights began to appear on the horizon, Rohan looked at his reflection in the window—a man whose life had been completely rewritten in a single, chaotic afternoon.
Test Paper – 7
Question 1
(Do not spend more than 30 minutes on this question.)
Write a composition (300 – 350 words) on any one of the following:
(i) Write an original story which illustrates the truth of the statement, ‘More haste less speed.’
Answer: More Haste, Less Speed
The final exams were looming, and a wave of panic had washed over the tenth-grade students. Among them was Aryan, a bright but notoriously last-minute student. He believed he could conquer the vast syllabus in the final week. “It’s a sprint, not a marathon,” he would tell his methodical friend, Sameer, who had been studying consistently for months.
Aryan’s ‘sprint’ began with a frantic energy. He gulped down coffee, surrounded by mountains of books, and flipped through pages at an incredible rate. He skimmed chapters, memorised definitions without understanding the concepts, and skipped practice questions to save time. Sleep became a luxury he couldn’t afford. His mind was a chaotic whirlwind of formulas, historical dates, and chemical equations, none of which settled properly. He felt the rush of covering ground, mistaking the flurry of activity for genuine progress.
Sameer, on the other hand, maintained his calm and steady pace. He revised his well-prepared notes, solved past papers, and ensured he got adequate rest. He advised Aryan to slow down, but his words were lost in Aryan’s caffeine-fueled haste.
The day of the first exam, Mathematics, arrived. Aryan walked into the hall feeling exhausted but confident that he had ‘seen’ all the material. However, as he read the question paper, his confidence crumbled. The questions required application, not just rote memory. He couldn’t recall the correct formula for a complex problem, made silly calculation errors due to his tired mind, and spent precious minutes trying to decipher questions he had only skimmed over. His haste had led to a superficial understanding.
When the results were declared, the truth of the old proverb was laid bare. Sameer had secured top marks, his steady efforts paying off. Aryan, despite his frantic all-nighters, had barely managed to pass. He looked at his marksheet with regret, finally understanding that in his desperate hurry to finish first, he had stumbled and fallen far behind. He had learned a hard lesson: true and lasting progress is achieved through patience and diligence, for it is indeed a case of ‘more haste, less speed.’
(ii) Recently you travelled by train during the monsoon and it was a memorable journey. Narrate your journey and the feelings you had during this journey.
Answer: A Monsoon Train Journey
The decision to travel from Mumbai to Goa by train during the peak of the monsoon was met with raised eyebrows, but the allure of witnessing the Western Ghats in their rain-soaked glory was too strong to resist. My journey began at a bustling station, where the air was thick with the petrichor of rain meeting concrete and the excited chatter of fellow travellers.
As the train pulled out of the station, the city’s grey skyline soon gave way to a world transformed. The monsoon had painted the landscape in a thousand shades of green. Raindrops raced across the windowpane, creating a blurry, dreamlike filter through which I saw the world. Paddy fields, filled to the brim with water, shimmered like mirrors reflecting the overcast sky. Tiny streams had swelled into gushing rivulets, and distant hills were shrouded in a mysterious veil of mist.
The rhythmic clatter of the wheels on the track became a soothing soundtrack, accompanied by the steady drumming of the rain on the roof. Inside the carriage, a sense of warmth and camaraderie prevailed. The aroma of hot tea from a vendor’s flask mingled with the scent of fried snacks, creating a comforting atmosphere that stood in stark contrast to the wild, wet world outside. I watched families sharing meals, students engrossed in books, and children pressing their faces against the glass in wonder.
The most breathtaking part of the journey was when the train navigated the winding tracks through the ghats. It snaked through dark tunnels, emerging into valleys bursting with life. Waterfalls cascaded down rocky cliffs, some so close it felt like I could reach out and touch them. Crossing a high bridge over a roaring, muddy river was a moment of pure awe, making me feel small and humbled by the raw power of nature.
By the time I reached my destination, I was not just a traveller who had moved from one point to another; I was a witness to nature’s most spectacular seasonal performance. The journey was not merely about the destination, but about the ever-changing canvas outside my window and the peaceful introspection it inspired. It was a memorable experience that etched the beauty of the monsoon deep into my heart.
(iii) ‘It should be compulsory for all the students in a school to participate in games.’ Express your views either for or against this statement.
Answer: Compulsory Games: A Necessity for Holistic Education
In an age dominated by screens and academic pressures, the importance of physical activity in a student’s life cannot be overstated. I firmly support the view that it should be compulsory for all students in a school to participate in games. This policy is not about creating professional athletes out of every child, but about fostering holistic development that extends far beyond the classroom.
First and foremost, compulsory participation in games directly addresses the growing concern of sedentary lifestyles among children. Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, strengthening bones and muscles, and improving cardiovascular health. Making sports a mandatory part of the curriculum ensures that every student, regardless of their natural inclination, receives the physical exercise necessary for their well-being. This proactive approach can help instill healthy habits that last a lifetime, combating issues like childhood obesity and related health problems.
Beyond the physical benefits, the impact of games on mental health and academic performance is significant. Physical exertion is a proven stress-buster, providing a much-needed outlet for the pressures of studies. It enhances concentration, improves memory, and fosters discipline. A break on the playground can rejuvenate a student’s mind, allowing them to return to their academic tasks with renewed focus and energy.
Furthermore, sports, especially team games, are invaluable for teaching crucial life skills. On the field, students learn the importance of teamwork, communication, and mutual respect. They learn to lead and to follow, to win with humility and to lose with grace. Facing challenges and overcoming obstacles in a sporting context builds resilience and character. These are lessons that cannot be taught effectively from a textbook but are learned organically through participation.
Some might argue that forcing uninterested students into sports is counterproductive. However, this can be addressed by offering a wide variety of activities, from traditional team sports like football and basketball to individual pursuits like athletics, yoga, or even chess. The goal is participation and engagement, not forced competition. By making games a compulsory and integral part of education, schools can ensure they are nurturing not just scholars, but healthy, resilient, and well-rounded individuals prepared for all of life’s challenges.
(iv) You accompanied your elder brother to an election rally before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The rally was addressed by a popular film star turned politician and was attended by a huge crowd. Describe the crowd and the reaction to the speech of the politician.
Answer: A Star at the Rostrum
The air was electric. I had accompanied my elder brother to an election rally just weeks before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and the atmosphere was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The ground was a vast sea of humanity, a vibrant mosaic of people from all walks of life, united by a common purpose. Party flags fluttered like countless colourful birds, and enormous banners bearing the smiling face of the candidate, a celebrated film star who had recently entered politics, dominated the landscape.
The crowd was a living, breathing entity. The constant hum of thousands of conversations was punctuated by thunderous, rhythmic chants of slogans that seemed to make the very ground vibrate. The energy was palpable; a mix of anticipation, excitement, and fervent devotion. People had been waiting for hours under the sun, yet their enthusiasm showed no signs of waning. They were here to see their hero, the man they had adored on the silver screen, now promising to be their saviour in the political arena.
The moment the politician’s convoy was sighted, a deafening roar erupted from the crowd. It was a wave of sound so powerful it felt physical. He ascended the stage with the practiced charisma of a seasoned performer, waving to the adoring masses who responded with frenzied cheers.
His speech was a masterclass in oratory, blending powerful political rhetoric with iconic dialogues from his films. He spoke of change, of dreams, and of a golden future. Every pause was filled with thunderous applause, every punchline met with whistles and cheers. He connected with the crowd on a personal level, and they hung on his every word. When he raised his fist and delivered a powerful slogan, thousands of fists shot up in unison, a testament to his incredible hold over them. The line between a film set and a political rally seemed to blur; he was the hero, and the crowd was his adoring audience, ready to follow him into battle. As we left, the echoes of the slogans and the image of that charged crowd remained with me, a powerful display of the fusion of charisma, celebrity, and politics.
(v) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it; however, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.
Answer: The Winning Moment
For six months, the tiny garage of our house had been a chaotic laboratory of wires, circuits, and sleepless nights. My sister, Clara, and I had poured every ounce of our energy into ‘Helios’, our project for the National Science Innovators Challenge. It was an ambitious device designed to purify water using solar power, and it was our ticket to a university scholarship. The competition was fierce, and as we huddled in front of the laptop for the live-streamed award ceremony, our hearts hammered against our ribs.
The host, a cheerful woman with a bright smile, began announcing the results, starting with the honourable mentions. With each name that wasn’t ours, our hopes sank a little lower. The third and second prizes were announced, going to impressive projects from other schools. A knot of disappointment tightened in my stomach. Clara squeezed my hand, her knuckles white. “It’s okay,” she whispered, though her voice trembled. “We did our best.”
I nodded, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. We had been so sure, so hopeful. The host then cleared her throat for the final announcement. “And now,” she boomed, “the moment we have all been waiting for. The grand prize winner of this year’s National Science Innovators Challenge, receiving a full scholarship and a mentorship at the National Space Agency, is…”
She paused for dramatic effect. In that silence, I prepared myself for the final blow of disappointment.
“…Project Helios, by Leo and Clara!”
The words didn’t register at first. They seemed to float in the air, nonsensical and unreal. Then, our project’s name and our faces flashed on the screen. Time seemed to stop. Clara and I slowly turned to look at each other, our minds struggling to process the information. A tidal wave of shock washed over us. Our hands flew to our heads, our mouths fell open, and our eyes widened in sheer, unadulterated disbelief. We had done it. We had actually won.
The picture of that moment would forever capture the split second when our wildest dream collided with reality, leaving us utterly and wonderfully speechless.
Question 2
Select any one of the following:
(i) Your younger brother has written a letter requesting you to advise him, whether he should join the Debating Society or the Environment Club in his school. Write your reply to his letter giving useful suggestions.
Answer:
15, Park Avenue
Kolkata – 700016
15th July 2024
Dear Rohan,
I was so happy to receive your letter yesterday and to learn that you are thinking seriously about joining an extracurricular activity at school. It is a wonderful idea to get involved in something beyond academics. Your confusion between the Debating Society and the Environment Club is understandable, as both are excellent choices.
The Debating Society is a fantastic platform for developing confidence and public speaking skills. It will teach you how to think critically, structure your arguments logically, and express your views clearly. These are skills that will be immensely helpful not just in school, but throughout your life, in college, and in your future career.
On the other hand, the Environment Club offers a chance to contribute to a very important cause. You would learn about pressing environmental issues and participate in practical activities like tree plantation drives, recycling projects, and awareness campaigns. It would connect you with nature and help you develop a sense of responsibility towards our planet.
The best choice really depends on your personal interests and what you hope to gain. Ask yourself what excites you more: the challenge of a lively debate or the satisfaction of making a positive impact on the environment? You could also speak to the teachers in charge of both clubs or attend one meeting of each before making your final decision.
Whatever you choose, I am sure you will do well. Give my regards to Mom and Dad.
Your loving brother,
Aditya
(ii) Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner of your city, raising your concern about the lack of parking facilities near markets in your colony.
Answer:
21, Sunlight Colony
New Delhi – 110014
15th July 2024
The Municipal Commissioner
Municipal Corporation of Delhi
New Delhi – 110001
Subject: Complaint regarding the lack of parking facilities near markets in Sunlight Colony
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am a resident of Sunlight Colony, and I am writing to bring to your urgent attention the severe lack of proper parking facilities near the main market area of our locality.
The absence of a designated parking space has led to a chaotic situation. Shoppers and visitors are forced to park their vehicles haphazardly along the narrow roadsides, often blocking a significant portion of the street. This random parking causes constant traffic congestion, making it extremely difficult for residents to move in and out of the colony. The situation is particularly bad during the evening hours and on weekends.
This congestion not only causes inconvenience but also poses a serious safety risk. It obstructs the path for emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire engines. The daily traffic jams are a source of frustration and have also led to minor accidents.
Therefore, I request you to look into this matter with urgency and take the necessary steps to create a dedicated parking lot for the market area. There is a vacant plot of land adjacent to the market that could potentially be developed for this purpose. Your prompt action in this regard would greatly benefit the residents and visitors of Sunlight Colony.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Yours faithfully,
R. Sharma
Question 3
(i) You are the Secretary of the Literature Club of your school. Draft a notice to be displayed on the school notice board, informing the students of Classes IX and X about a ‘Festival of Plays’ where a group of students would present ‘One-act plays on the theme of India’s Freedom Movement. The plays would be enacted from August 6 to August 12.
Request the students interested in participating in the plays to submit their names to you.
Answer:
GREENWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
NOTICE
Date: 25th July 2024
FESTIVAL OF PLAYS
This is to inform all students of Classes IX and X that the Literature Club is organising a ‘Festival of Plays’ from August 6 to August 12. The festival will feature a series of one-act plays based on the theme of ‘India’s Freedom Movement’.
Students who are interested in participating as actors, directors, or in backstage roles are requested to submit their names to the undersigned by August 1, 2024.
(Signature)
Rohan Sharma
Secretary, Literature Club
(ii) Write an email to the Principal of a neighbouring school, requesting him/her to send a group of 10 students and teachers to attend the ‘Festival of Plays’.
Answer:
To: principal.sunshineacademy@email.com
From: literatureclub.ghs@email.com
Subject: Invitation to attend ‘Festival of Plays’
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you on behalf of the Literature Club of Greenwood High School. We are organising a ‘Festival of Plays’ from August 6 to August 12, 2024, in our school auditorium. The festival will showcase a series of one-act plays presented by our students on the theme of ‘India’s Freedom Movement’.
We believe this event will be an enriching experience for students and would be honoured to have a delegation from your esteemed institution attend the festival. We would like to extend a formal invitation to you to send a group of 10 students and teachers to witness the performances.
We look forward to a positive response and to hosting your students and staff.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Rohan Sharma
Secretary, Literature Club
Greenwood High School
Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
“There are always legends hanging about the old castles,” said Baroness Grucebel to the banker and his wife. “Legends are not difficult to invent and they cost nothing.” In this context, she referred to a popular belief that when one of the Cernogratz family dies all the dogs bark and wolves in the village howl the night long. And as the soul of the dying one leaves its body, a tree would crash down in the park. But for a stranger dying here, of course, no wolf would howl and no tree would fall.
“It is true,” said Amalie, the old governess.
“You seem to know quite a lot about the Cernogratz legends, Amalie,” the Baroness said sharply.
“I am a Cernogratz myself,” said the old woman, “that is why I know the family history.”
“You, a Cernogratz? You!” came in an incredulous chorus.
“When we became very poor,” she explained, “and I had to go out and give teaching lessons, I took another name; I thought it would be more appropriate. But my grandfather spent much of his time as a boy in this castle, and my father used to tell me many stories about it, and, of course, I knew all the family legends and stories. I thought little when I took service with you that I should one day come with you to the old home of my family.”
When the old governess had slipped away quietly to her room, there arose a clamour of disbelief.”Most annoying,” said the Baroness, “it is the intense cold, I suspect, that breaks the old people up. It has been unusually cold this year.”
At the same moment, an outburst of angry barking came from the dogs in the castle-yard. Then they heard a long-drawn whining howl of wolves coming from the foot of the castle walls.
Moved by some impulse, the Baroness made her way to the room, where the old governess lay. In spite of the biting cold of the winter night, the window stood open.
The Baroness rushed forward to close it. “Leave it open,” said the old woman in a voice that for all its weakness carried an air of command such as the Baroness had never heard from her.
“But you will die of cold, Amalie!” she said.
“Hark! What is that sound?” asked the local banker, as a noise of splitting and crashing was heard. It was a tree falling in the park.
There was a moment of constrained silence, and then the banker’s wife spoke, “It is the intense cold that is splitting the trees. It is also the cold that has brought the wolves out in such numbers. It is many years since we have had such a cold winter.”
The Baroness agreed that the cold was responsible for these things. And it was the cold of the open window, too, which caused the heart failure of the old governess.
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided:
1. incredulous (line 12)
(a) convincing
(b) believing
(c) doubtful
(d) deafening
Answer: (c) doubtful
2. impulse (line 25)
(a) instinct
(b) threat
(c) hatred
(d) dislike
Answer: (a) instinct
(ii) Which word in the passage is the opposite of ‘trust’?
(a) whining
(b) disbelief
(c) biting
(d) constrained
Answer: (b) disbelief
(iii) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(a) What was the legend associated with the Cernogratz family?
Answer: The legend associated with the Cernogratz family was that whenever a member of the family died, all the dogs in the village would bark, the wolves would howl all night long, and a tree would crash down in the park as the soul left the body.
(b) Why did Amalie change her name?
Answer: Amalie changed her name because her family had become very poor and she had to work giving teaching lessons. She felt it would be more appropriate to use a different name while working.
(c) How did Amalie know the legends of the Cernogratz family?
Answer: Amalie knew the legends because she was a Cernogratz herself. Her father used to tell her many stories about the castle, which her grandfather had also known well as a boy.
(d) What happened after Amalie slipped off to her room?
Answer: After Amalie slipped off to her room, a clamour of disbelief arose among the others. At that very moment, there was an outburst of angry barking from the dogs in the castle-yard, followed by the long-drawn howl of wolves from the foot of the castle walls.
(e) How does the death of Amalie apparently confirm that she was a member of the Cernogratz family?
Answer: Amalie’s death apparently confirms she was a Cernogratz because the events of the legend occurred as she died. The dogs barked, the wolves howled, and a tree fell in the park, all of which were said to happen only when a member of the Cernogratz family passed away.
(iv) Describe how the legend about the Cernogratz family had its origin in the natural phenomenon. Answer in not more than fifty words.
Answer: The legend originated from natural phenomena occurring during an intensely cold winter. The severe cold caused trees to split and crash, and it also drove wolves out in large numbers, causing them to howl. These events, coincidentally happening at the time of a death, were interpreted as supernatural signs.
Question 5
(i) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage but write in correct serial order the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space.
Example: (0) has coined
Dr. Daniel Belsky, an epidemiologist at Columbia University, New York ….0…. (coin) the term ‘geroscience’, to refer to the science related to ….1…. (age). He….2… (devise) a novel blood test which ….3… (determine) the pace at which a person is aging. His team studied the formation of methyl groups through an enzyme in the DNA of senior citizens and ….4….(find) that this methylation is sensitive to aging. This is often ….5…. (refer) to as ‘gerozyme’.
The Columbia Aging Centre ….6…. (find) that a balanced diet ….7…. (support) brain health by ….8…. (reduce) inflammation, and promotes proper blood flow by supplying essential nutrients which aid cognitive function.
Answer:
- aging
- has devised
- determines
- found
- referred
- has found
- supports
- reducing
(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
(a) We crawled ……………………………. the table during the earthquake.
(b) He drove ……………………………. India visiting many temples.
(c) The Annual Day function went ……………………………. well this year.
(d) I am hoping ……………………………. a scholarship to study abroad.
(e) There are skyscrapers ……………………………. either side of the road.
(f) Small birds live mainly ……………………………. insects.
(g) Many useful goods are made ……………………………. jute.
(h) He has typed only one letter ……………………………. morning.
Answer:
(a) under
(b) across
(c) off
(d) for
(e) on
(f) on
(g) from
(h) this
(iii) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option.
1. The thief ran away. The police would have caught him.
(a) The police caught the thief who ran away.
(b) If the thief ran, the police would have caught him.
(c) If the thief had not run away, the police may have caught him.
(d) Had the thief not run away, the police would have caught him.
Answer: (d) Had the thief not run away, the police would have caught him.
2. This is the window. I was looking through it when the fire started.
(a) This is the window which I was looking through it when the fire started.
(b) This is the window through which I was looking when the fire started.
(c) This is the window I was looking through it when the fire started.
(d) When the fire started, I was looking through the window.
Answer: (b) This is the window through which I was looking when the fire started.
3. He is extremely busy. I have never seen a busier man.
(a) I have never seen a more busier man than him.
(b) I have never seen a busier man than him.
(c) I have never ever seen a busier man.
(d) I had never been able to see someone busier than he.
Answer: (b) I have never seen a busier man than him.
4. Are you going to the market? Bring me some sweets from there.
(a) Bring me some sweets if you are to go to the market.
(b) Bring me some sweets if you are going to the market.
(c) Bring me some sweets if you are going marketing.
(d) If you go to the market bring sweets from there.
Answer: (b) Bring me some sweets if you are going to the market.
(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence.
1. Who will not help a man in distress? (Begin with: Anybody…)
(a) Anybody will have to help a man in distress.
(b) Anybody that will help a man in distress.
(c) Anybody will help a man for distress.
(d) Anybody will help a man in distress.
Answer: (d) Anybody will help a man in distress.
2. He took every care yet he died. (Use: In spite of…)
(a) In spite of taking every care he died.
(b) In spite of he took every care yet he died.
(c) In spite of taking every care yet he died.
(d) In spite of taken every care he died.
Answer: (a) In spite of taking every care he died.
3. He is too careless for the job. (Remove ‘too’)
(a) He is so careless to do the job.
(b) He is so careless that he cannot do the job.
(c) He is so careless for doing the job.
(d) He is careless enough that he cannot do the job.
Answer: (b) He is so careless that he cannot do the job.
4. As I see more of him, I like him less. (Begin with: The more…)
(a) The more I see of him, the less I like of him.
(b) The more as I see him, I like him less.
(c) The more of him I see, the less of him I like.
(d) The more I see him, the less I like him.
Answer: (d) The more I see him, the less I like him.
5. “I will come as soon as I can,” mother assured me. (Begin with: Mother assured me…)
(a) Mother assured me that she was coming as soon as she could.
(b) Mother assured me that she would come as soon as she could.
(c) Mother assured me that she will come as soon as she can.
(d) Mother assured me that she can come as soon as she could.
Answer: (b) Mother assured me that she would come as soon as she could.
6. To purchase a flat in the colony is beyond my means. (Begin with: It…)
(a) It is being beyond my means to purchase a flat in the colony.
(b) It is going beyond my means to purchase a flat in the colony.
(c) It is beyond my means to purchase a flat in the colony.
(d) It is beyond the means for me to purchase a flat in the colony.
Answer: (c) It is beyond my means to purchase a flat in the colony.
7. Someone is showing the names to the Governor. (Begin with: The Governor…)
(a) The Governor who is being shown the names by someone.
(b) The Governor was the one being shown the names.
(c) The Governor is the one whom the names were shown.
(d) The Governor is being shown the names by someone.
Answer: (d) The Governor is being shown the names by someone.
8. Akbar was one of the most successful rulers. (Begin with: Very few rulers…)
(a) Very few rulers were more successful than Akbar.
(b) Very few rulers were as successful as Akbar.
(c) Very few rulers were as successful than Akbar.
(d) Very few rulers are though as successful as Akbar.
Answer: (b) Very few rulers were as successful as Akbar.
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